BenThere Travel
Real travel stories and aviation history from a pilot and his copilot wife — based in St. Augustine, Florida.
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Latest in Aviation
All Aviation →From Our Hometown — St. Augustine
All St. Augustine →Pittsburgh Stories
All Pittsburgh →Around the World
Travel stories from farther afield — Iceland, Italy, and wherever the next trip takes us.
Getting Around Venice: Vaporetto, Walking & What to Skip
How to get around Venice — from the airport to the islands. A first-timer’s guide to the vaporetto, walking, traghetti, water taxis,…
Murano & Burano: A Venice Lagoon-Islands Day Trip
How to visit Murano and Burano in one day — the best vaporetto route, what to see on each colorful island, timing…
Best Time to Visit Venice: Dodging Crowds, Heat & Acqua Alta
When is the best time to visit Venice? A season-by-season guide to weather, crowds, cruise ships, and acqua alta flooding — plus…
About Us
Hi, we’re Ben and Nicole — the husband-and-wife team behind BenThere Travel.
I’m a retired Air Force JAG (22 years), an attorney, and a private pilot — which is why aviation history shows up here alongside the travel writing. Nicole is my favorite copilot in life and on the road, a Pittsburgh native through and through. I’m a 12-year Pittsburgh transplant who happily adopted the Steelers and Pens and earned honorary yinzer status — at least that’s what Nicole’s family says.
Together we chase sunsets, wander European cobblestone streets, and find hidden gems from our hometown of St. Augustine, Florida to the Cliffs of Moher.
BenThere Travel is where we share real stories from our adventures — the places we’ve loved, the meals worth a detour, and the moments that make a trip unforgettable. Thanks for joining us. Let’s explore the world, one story at a time.
Wear Your Trip and Aviation History
Original Tees, Prints & Gifts from SunSpun Creations
WWII aviation art designed by a pilot. Pittsburgh & Yinzer pride. Vintage tattoo flash. Destination travel designs from places we’ve actually been.
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Shop SunSpun Creations on Etsy →The Next Dispatch from Wherever We End Up
Original travel notes from a pilot and his copilot — written from places we’ve actually been, in our own voice. No spam, ever.